Stringed musical instrument



Feb. 18, 1930: R. T. SAWYER 1,747,650

STRINGED MUS ICAL INSTRUMENT Filed 00:1. '25. 1926 W 't 55 f t 221 @0 Robert 7372 7 Sgixigen His AZ'Z'orrng second, by adding a separate fixture to the fingering and also to enable the player to s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT TOM SAWYER, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO STRING-ED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Application filed October 25, 1926'. Serial No. 144,002.

My invention relates to stringed musical in- In the preferred form of my invention the struments of the type wherein the strings are tension of the strings is varied by relative stopped by pressure of the fingers of the opmovement of the nuts, e. g., by movement of erator. the neck in relation to the body. Due to the My invention consists of certain improveangularity between the neck and the body, 5. ments in stringed musical instruments using relative movement of the two will vary the a sounding board by which the tone thereof distance between the nuts which in turn vais improved and of a certain construction ries the tension of the strings. particularly applicable to ukeleles, guitars, The invention is fully described in the folinandolins, and other similar instruments of lowing specification and While, in its broader c3 this general class, but which may also be used aspect, it is capable of embodiment in numerin connection with any stringed musical inous forms, a preferred embodiment thereof strument using two nuts to support the is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, strings, the construction making it possible in which;

to readily produce a waving, swaying, vibrat- Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a 0; ing, or tremulous tone. stringed instrument embodying the invention The object of this invention is to provide and Figure 2 is a side view partly in section. means in connection with a stringed instru- The instrument described is of the general ment which will enable the player to vary siform of a ukelele having a sounding box 1 multaneously the tension of all the strings with a neck member 2 pivotally connected ?0 while playing the instrument. Varying the thereto by means of a hinge having leaves 3 tension of the strings produces a harmonious and 4t which are secured to the sounding boX sound having the effect of swaying, crooning, and the neck respectively by suitable screws or jazzing, depending upon the rapidity of 5. Leaf 3 of the hinge is extended and bent this variation of the tension of the strings by into a U-shaped section 6. The legs of this 7 the player. U-shaped section are drilled and tapped to This variation of the tension of the strings receive the threaded end of a rod 7 on which may be accomplished in at least three ways; is a washer 8 firmly held in place by a lock first, by building the instrument for this parnut 9. lVasher 8 is bent in such a manner ticular purpose as by making one or more as to engage an extended portion of leaf 4 so parts of the instrument flexible either meof the hinge thereby limiting the movement chanically or by the composition or structure of the neck 2 with respect to the body 1. Rod of the material of these parts thus allowing 7 is extended the length of the neck member them to be moved as desired by the player; to provide a rest for the hand doing the instrument which will accomplish the demore easily move the neck with respect to the sired results, and; third, a device may be body. The strings 10 are fastened at one end used which will vary the tension of the to the nut 11 secured to the sounding box 1. strings, yet not be attached in any visible way pass over the nut 12 secured to the neck 2, and

to the instrument. are fastened at the other end to the usual tunso For example; the first method may be acing pegs 13.

complished by having part or all of the neck hen the instrument is tuned in the usual of the instrument made of elastic material. manner the tension of the strings will pull. It may also be accomplished by placing a the neck so that the leaf 4 of the hinge will hinge or flexible connection between the neck rest against the washer 8 on the rod '4'. To and the body of the instrument, or between increase the tension of the strings the neck is any part of either the neck or body. The moved with respect to the body,i. e., the neck second method may be obtained by clamping is moved toward the rod, by a squeeze of the n a separate device onto the instrument which hand.

can be operated by the player. Any person having an ear for music will soon learn when to increase the tension of the strings in order to produce the most pleasing effects.

The invention is illustrated and described in connection with a ukelele, but it is to be understood that it may be carried out in connection with other instruments of the same general type without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes the principle of the invention has been described, togetherwith the construction which is now considered to repre sent the best embodiment thereof, but it is desired to have it understood that the construction shown is merely illustrative, and that the invention may be carried out in other equivalent ways.

The invention having been described, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. Astringed musical instrument comprising a sounding box, a neck, and means connecting said box and said neck by which the angular position of the neck with respect to the sounding box may be varied while the instrument is being played.

2. In'a stringed musical instrument comprising a sounding box and a neck member, each having a nut secured thereto, means connecting said box and said neck by which the distance between the nuts may be freely varied during a playing operation and means for limiting the extent of variations.

3. In a stringed musical instrument comprising a sounding box and-a neck member, each having a 'nut secured thereto, means connecting said box and said neck, said neck being freely adjustable during a playing op eration to vary the distance between the nuts and means for limiting the extent of the ad justments. v v

4. A stringed musical instrument having a sounding box and an angularly movable neck connected thereto, said neck being freely adjustable during a playing operation to vary the tone of the instrument and means for limiting the adjustments.

5. In a stringed musical instrument. a sound box, a neck connected thereto,-strings secured to the box and neck, and means by which free relative adjustment may be obtained between the box and neck during a playing operation.

6. In astringedmusical instrument, a sound box, a neck connected thereto, strings secured to the box and neck, means by which free rela- .tive adjustment may be obtained between the box and neck during a playing operation to vary the tension of all the strings, and means for limiting said relative adjustment.

. 7. In a stringedmusicalinstrument,in combination, a body member, a neck member, a hinge connecting the neck member to the ,body member by means of which free angular neck member to limit the movement thereof with respect to the body member.

8. A stringed musical instrument having a body and a neck, a hinge connecting said body and said neck, freely movable during a playing operation and so mounted that the tension of the strings tends to move the leaves of the hinge to open position, and a member rigidly mounted on the body and in cooperative relation with the neck and so adjusted to limit the opening of said leaves due to the tension of said-strings to a predetermined amount;

V 9. In a stringed musical instrument, in combination, a sound box, a neck member pivotally disposed relative thereto and'adapt- ,7 ed to be freely rocked with respect to said signature. 7

ROBERT TOM SAIVYER.

whereof I have affixed my 

